Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for VP of Operations

🎯 Role Definition

We are on the hunt for a transformational and results-driven Vice President of Operations to join our executive leadership team. In this pivotal role, you will be the strategic architect of our entire operational ecosystem. You'll take full ownership of designing, implementing, and optimizing processes that drive efficiency, scalability, and world-class quality across the organization. The ideal candidate is a seasoned leader with a proven track record of translating high-level business strategy into tactical execution, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, and building high-performing teams. You will be instrumental in steering the company through its next phase of growth, ensuring our operational foundation is not just stable, but a competitive advantage.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Director of Operations
Senior Operations Manager with multi-site responsibility
General Manager with P&L ownership

Advancement To:

Chief Operating Officer (COO)
President
Senior VP of Global Operations

Lateral Moves:

VP of Supply Chain
VP of Strategy & Business Operations
Chief of Staff

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Spearhead the development and execution of the company's long-range operational strategy, ensuring tight alignment with overall business objectives and driving sustainable, scalable growth.
Assume full P&L responsibility for all operational departments, meticulously managing budgets, forecasting resource needs, and implementing rigorous cost-control measures to maximize profitability.
Lead, mentor, and develop a high-caliber operations leadership team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous professional growth.
Champion a culture of operational excellence by deploying Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies to enhance productivity, reduce waste, and improve quality.
Oversee the entire supply chain and logistics network, from procurement and vendor management to inventory control and final distribution, to ensure optimal performance and cost-effectiveness.
Establish, monitor, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) across all operational functions, using data-driven insights to inform strategic decisions and drive performance improvements.
Direct all aspects of manufacturing, production, or service delivery, ensuring safety, quality, and efficiency standards are met or exceeded consistently.
Collaborate with C-level executives and department heads (Sales, Marketing, Finance, Product) to ensure seamless cross-functional alignment and execution of company-wide initiatives.
Drive the strategic sourcing and negotiation of key vendor and partner contracts, building strong relationships to ensure favorable terms and reliable service.
Evaluate and implement new technologies, systems (like ERP/WMS), and automation solutions to enhance operational capabilities and create a competitive edge.
Develop and manage a comprehensive risk management and business continuity plan to protect company assets and ensure operational resilience.
Lead capacity planning and resource allocation initiatives to ensure the organization is adequately staffed and equipped to meet current and future demand.
Oversee all facility management, including site selection for expansion, lease negotiations, and ensuring a safe and productive work environment across all locations.
Ensure strict compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations, including health, safety (OSHA), and environmental standards.
Act as the primary executive liaison for key operational clients and stakeholders, resolving escalations and ensuring high levels of satisfaction.
Drive strategic workforce planning to attract, retain, and develop the talent necessary to scale the operations organization effectively.
Lead the post-merger integration of operational functions for any acquired companies, ensuring a smooth transition and rapid synergy realization.
Standardize processes, policies, and procedures across all departments and locations to create a unified, efficient, and predictable operational model.
Present detailed operational performance reports, strategic plans, and budget proposals to the CEO and Board of Directors.
Cultivate an environment that embraces change and innovation, encouraging teams to challenge the status quo and find better ways of working.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to uncover new operational insights.
Contribute to the organization's broader data strategy and roadmap from an operational perspective.
Collaborate with business units to translate data and operational needs into engineering and IT requirements.
Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies for technology-related operational projects.
Represent the company at industry conferences and events, acting as a thought leader in the operations space.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

P&L Management: Deep expertise in creating, managing, and taking full ownership of multi-million dollar operational budgets.
Lean / Six Sigma / Continuous Improvement: Certified or demonstrably expert in deploying process improvement methodologies to drive efficiency.
Supply Chain & Logistics Management: Mastery of end-to-end supply chain functions, including procurement, inventory, warehousing, and transportation.
ERP/MRP Systems: Hands-on experience with major enterprise resource planning systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics).
KPI Development & Data Analysis: Ability to define meaningful metrics and use data analytics/BI tools to derive actionable insights.
Financial Forecasting & Modeling: Skill in accurately forecasting operational needs, costs, and capacity requirements.
Contract Negotiation & Vendor Management: Proven ability to negotiate high-value contracts and manage strategic supplier relationships.
Regulatory Compliance: Strong knowledge of relevant legal and regulatory requirements, including OSHA, ISO, and environmental standards.
Capacity Planning: Advanced skills in modeling and planning for future labor, equipment, and facility needs.
Project & Program Management: Expertise in leading complex, cross-functional projects from inception to completion.
Facilities Management: Experience overseeing physical plant operations, site security, and expansion projects.

Soft Skills

Strategic Leadership & Vision: Ability to set a clear, compelling direction for the operations function and inspire others to follow.
Change Management: Adept at leading teams through significant organizational, process, and technological change.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: A natural ability to build bridges and work effectively with peers across the entire organization.
Decisive Problem-Solving: Capable of making sound, data-backed decisions quickly, even with incomplete information.
Executive Communication: Polished and articulate communication and presentation skills, comfortable engaging with C-suite and board members.
Mentorship & Team Development: A passion for coaching direct reports and building a strong leadership pipeline.
Resilience & Composure: Thrives under pressure and maintains a calm, steady hand in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Business Acumen: A deep understanding of the market, competition, and how operations drives overall business success.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree

Preferred Education:

Master of Business Administration (MBA) or a Master's degree in a related field.
Lean Six Sigma (Green or Black Belt) certification is highly desirable.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Business Administration
Operations Management
Supply Chain Management
Industrial Engineering

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

15+ years of progressive experience in operations management, demonstrating a clear path of increasing responsibility.

Preferred:

At least 5-7 years of experience in a senior leadership role (e.g., Director of Operations, GM) with direct P&L ownership and multi-site management.
A proven track record of successfully scaling operations in a high-growth or complex enterprise environment is essential.